Ramping Up for Accessibility

Construction of ramp leading up into the sanctuary (1975)

Completed ramp today. Left side leads up to the sanctuary; right side leads down to the Fellowship Hall. (7.25.25)

One of the unique attributes of our church building is the ramp access between levels. Many a child over the past fifty years has used these ramps as a runway! At the time of its construction in 1975, MPLC was recognized as being the first fully wheelchair-accessible church in the Racine area.

Sunday services sometimes saw wheelchair residents of nearby Lincoln Lutheran Convalescent Center being assisted across Green Bay Road to worship at MPLC until their own chapel was built.

Today, accessibility standards require less steep ramps for new construction, rendering our building less accessible than newer buildings by comparison. One ramp entrance, on the 16th Steet side of the building, opens to longer and less steep ramps, leading it to be considered the more “wheelchair-accessible” entrance. Our atrium bathrooms are each for one person (any gender), and are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

Wheelchair-accessible restroom in atrium, added as part of 1996-1997 building addition. (7.25.25)

MPLC continues to work on helping everyone reach the sanctuary by providing a “push” in a wheelchair for those who need it past the main entrance. If you need an “assist” or can help to provide one, please contact a pastor or the church office to find out how!